That same photo, further back. Did the size deceive you?

Small but fierce, this is an adult Athena's Owl, Athene noctoa (the Little Owl). Owls have represented wisdom and knowledge for thousands of years.

Athenian Owl Coins

These coins were first created around 490 BCE and circulated for hundreds of years. Democritus (one of the earliest Rational Hedonists), Aristippus and Epicurus used these coins. Athena is featured on the front, with her owl, an olive sprig and small crescent moon on the back. The coins were appropriately called "owls". Now this symbol of the Hellenic Empire and Glory of Greece has been transplanted onto the American one dollar bill, hidden in plain sight.